Brendan Rodgers has hailed the return of Kieran Tierney as a defining moment of Celtic’s summer transfer business, insisting the left-back’s homecoming brings far more than just footballing ability to the squad.
Kieran Tierney Brendan Rodgers
Soccer Football – Europa League – Celtic Training – Lennoxtown Training Centre, Glasgow, Britain – November 7, 2018 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Kieran Tierney during training Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Tierney, who first broke through at Celtic just before Rodgers arrived in Glasgow before a record move to Arsenal under Neil Lennon, returns to the club at 27 with a wealth of top-level experience behind him.
He returns a better player, with experience from the top level. He was highly sought after this summer, turning down offers from various clubs within Europe’s top 5 leagues so that he could make the sensational return to Celtic.
For Rodgers, the decision to re-sign the Scotland international was driven by more than nostalgia, and the manager is convinced Tierney is returning at the peak of his powers, shaped by his time in the Premier League and Europe with Arsenal and Real Sociedad.
“The players that have come through the system here are so important,” Rodgers told Celtic TV. “The affinity they have with the club, they understand the values of Celtic. For me, they should always be at the heart of the club.
“It was important to bring back guys like Kieran, like Ross Doohan, guys who’ve come through the system, because they play a huge part in keeping the culture created here.
“Sometimes, top players like that might come later on in their career, but we’re getting Kieran at 27 years of age. I was with him during the summer, so I know firsthand as well how excited he is to be here.
“I’m looking forward to seeing this new version of Kieran, having had the experience in the Premier League and playing at a top club like Arsenal. He’ll come back here with greater maturity, both as a person and as a professional, and tactically, and now we can really get the benefits of that.”
With Tierney’s maturity, experience, and understanding of the club, Rodgers believes Celtic are getting back a player ready to make an immediate and lasting impact.
It does feel like an amazing signing, getting a player who you could argue is up there with some of the best full-backs in Europe. Let’s hope he can stay injury free.
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